WASHINGTON—New U.S. trade negotiations with Taiwan could move more quickly than broader talks with 12 Indo-Pacific countries given strong interest in Taipei and Washington in deepening economic ties, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Sarah Bianchi said on Thursday.
There are parallels between the newly launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework talks and the Taiwan talks, Bianchi told Reuters in an interview, but the latter initiative is aimed at increasing links with Taiwan on specific economic issues.
“I think we are eager to get going with Taiwan and to scope out our negotiating mandate there and … a range of issues from small-medium enterprises to digital trade to labor and we look forward to getting going as quickly as possible,” Bianchi said….